McBookie Super League Premier Division

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 4

GIRVAN 0

By Frank Cassidy

GIRVAN slumped to a fifth league defeat of the season against the champions who racked up only their fourth win.

Glens took the lead in 14 minutes when Darren McGill embarked on a solo run and sent a ball into the box.

It was dummied by Dallas giving Andrew a clear shot at goal, which was blocked, but Connor Lynass pounced on the loose ball to open the scoring.

The hosts were dominating and came close with a McGill free-kick, followed by a Cammy Marlow screamer which brought out a good save.

Although forced to defend in depth, Girvan themselves came close when Craig Reid's back-post header was just over.

Then McAusland intercepted a pass which was meant for Keiran Balfour, who was in a good position.

The home side then had a spell of intense pressure with an Andrew shot deflected for a corner and a Marlow header cleared off the line.

Goal number two was inevitable and it was Andrew who scored it with a cracking low shot from the edge of the box in 23 minutes.

Girvan's cause was not helped when Michael Reilly was sent off for dissent and the 10 men fell further behind six minute later. Dallas showed his natural striker's instinct by following up a Lynass shot.

The Seasiders were almost sunk with a one-man wave of attacks as McGill was running amok, although in between times Girvan did launch their own offensive.

Jack McDowall sidestepped Craig Menzies but his final ball was poor and the three-goal margin remained as the whistle blew for half-time.

In the first action of the second half McDowall picked up where he had left off when his shot was spilled by Brian McGarrity but the keeper recovered well.

Michael Mossie has defended well in difficult circumstances and broke up a Glens attack involving Jamie McKernon and Andrew.

Darren Mitchell found McDowall with a good pass but he opted for precision over power and his sidefooted shot was ineffective.

Mitchell was pushing forward and attempted to hit Glens on the break but was quickly closed down.

Just to show they had no intention of taking their foot off the gas, Glens engineered a few chances of their own with Dallas coming close with a low shot.

With less than 20 minutes remaining, McDowall beat three players and played a great pass to Mitchell.

Just as he was about to take a touch he was barged in the box and it looked like a clear penalty, but referee Stephen Brown waved play on.

It was end-to-end throughout the closing stages. Girvan substitute Stephen O'Donnell dispossessed Glens sub Mick McCann to set up McDowall, who fired just wide.

McCann slid a ball through to McAusland, whose shot nearly broke the crossbar in half.

Mossie then joined the attack and tested McGarrity with a header from a corner but the final goal came at the other end, from former Troon man Dale Moore, in the final minute.

GIRVAN: Johnstone; Auld (Caldwell 59), Hunter, Mitchell, Mossie, Dinwoodie, Reid, Balfour (O'Donnell 45), Reilly, Marc Cameron (Paul Cameron), McDowall.

Subs not used: Cunningham, Higgins